Surname Tully - Meaning and Origin

Tully: What does the surname Tully mean?

The surname Tully is of Irish origin and has historical ties dating back to the ancient Gaelic surname Ó Taithligh. It is derived from "taithleach," and originally meant “peaceable” or "quiet." This suggests that the first bearers of the name Tully were reputed for their peaceful or placid demeanor. Many Irish surnames reflect the profession or characteristic of the first individual who used the name, therefore, one could theorize that the Tully family was recognized for their tranquil or amiable behavior.

However, the name Tully also holds geographical significance. It’s associated with numerous places in Ireland, such as a town in County Sligo, a lake in County Cavan, and various townlands in different counties.

In pop culture, the name Tully has received recognition in the popular television series "Game of Thrones" as the name of one of the noble houses.

It's also worth noting that over the centuries there have been several variations of the surname spelling (including Tally, Talley, Tilly, and Tilly) owing to the evolution of languages and the Anglicization of Irish names.

Tully: Where does the name Tully come from?

The surname Tully is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name O'Taithligh, meaning "descendent of Taithleach". The name Taithleach is an ancient personal Irish name, which translates to peaceful or quiet in English. The Tullys were an ancient Irish clan that ruled the territory around modern day County Galway and County Roscommon in the west of Ireland.

Today, the Tully surname is still quite common in Ireland, particularly in the region where the clan originated. A significant number of Tullys can also be found in other countries with a strong Irish diaspora such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom (particularly in Northern Ireland), and Australia. Therefore, the distribution of the Tully surname is mainly seen in English-speaking countries around the world due to historical migration and the influence of the Irish diaspora.

Variations of the surname Tully

The surname Tully has its roots in Ireland, originating from the Gaelic name "O'Taithligh" which means "descendant of Taithleach," a personal name corresponding to Teutonic meaning peaceful.

The surname Tully has several variants and spellings which include Tally, Talley, Tilly, Tholly, Tully, Tallye, Tillye, O’Tully, O’Talley, and O'Tilly among others. The complexity and variety of these derivatives may be attributed to the process of Anglicization of original Gaelic names, which often resulted in phonetic and creative spellings.

In Ireland, the Tullys were concentrated in Northern Connacht in County Fermanagh and County Leitrim. In Scotland, the surname could be habitational, from a place near Kelso in Roxburghshire named Tully or Tilly.

Despite the variations in spelling, each version of the surname maintains a connection to its root in "Taithleach". The use of a prefix ‘O' indicates a grandchild or descendant of the original Taithleach.

Each of these variants has the potential to be used as a surname, and it helps to identify the connection to a Scots-Irish ancestry.

Famous people with the name Tully

• Jessica Tully: An American visual artist who uses participatory practices.
• Paul Tully: An Australian politician who served as State Secretary of the Australian Labor Party.
• Tom Tully: An American actor who appeared in various Hollywood films.
• Leo Tully: An Australian rugby player named in New South Wales ' Team of the Century.
• Daniel Tully: Former chairman and CEO of Merrill Lynch.
• Kinga Tully: A contemporary artist based in London, England.
• Emily Tully: Contestant on the popular reality TV show "Survivor."
• Charles P. Tully: Notable in the field of construction law in the U.S.
• Jim Tully: An American writer.
• Alice Tully: An American music patron, for whom Alice Tully Hall in New York City is named.
• William Hepburn Tully: Episcopal priest and the rector of St. Bartholomew's Church in New York City.
• Jessica Tully: A prominent filmmaker.
• Mark Tully: English author and former Chief of Bureau, BBC, New Delhi.
• Mike Tully: An American former pole vaulter particularly known for his participation in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
• Matt Tully: American journalist and author, best known for his work at The Indianapolis Star.

Other surnames

TulleTüllerTullesTulleyTüllinghoffTullisTulliusTullmannTullos